MINUTES 


OF  THE 


^ 

ORIGINAL, 

FREEWILL-BAPTIST, 

GENERAL  CONFERENCE, 


HELD  AT 


FREE-UNION  MEETING  HOUSE,  GREENE  C0.3N.C., 
On  the  5th,  Qth  *lth  and  8th  days  of  November,  A.  D,,  1857. 


PRINTED  BY  WM.  ROBINSON  &  CO,  'TS&IB&Njfij  ^Affitt 

1857,  * 

^  .A 


t  • 


This  was  a  faction  of  the  General  Conference    of  Free 
Will  Baptists  of  North  Carolina  who  separated  in  18^3 
over  the  question  of  membership  in  secret  societies 
(especially  the  Freemasons).    In  18£°  this  faction 
merged  with  the  TTnion  Baptists  (although  a  majority 
of  the  congregations  returned  to  the  F.W.B.  General 
Conference  rather  than  enter  the  merger )• 


3 


THURSDAY,  NOVEMBER  5th,  1857. 

Agreeably  to  previous  appointment,  the  ministers,  mes- 
sengers and  delegates  of  the  North  Carolina,  Original,  Free- 
will Baptist  Conference  met  at  Free-Union  Meeting 
House,  Greene  Co.,  N.  C.  at  12  o'clock,  M. 

Elder  Hiram  Gr.  Paul,  who  had  been  previously  appoint- 
ed to  preach  the  introductory  sermon,  attended  and  intro- 
duced Divine  service,  and  preached  from  the  20th  Psalm 
and  a  part  of  the  5th  verse — "  In  the  name  of  our  God,  we 
will  set  up  our  banners." 

Conference  was  then  duly  organized,  by  choosing  Elders 
Hiram  G.  Paul,  Moderator;  Thomas  Moore,  assistant  Mod- 
erator ;  brethren  William  A.  Brand,  Clerk,  and  John 
Jackson  assistant  Clerk. 

On 'motion,  agreed,  that  brethren  John  W.  Linton  and 
William  Bennett  be  a  committee  of  finance,  to  receive  con- 
tributions, settle  with  the  Treasurer  and  report  to  Confer- 
ence. 

On  motion,  agreed  that  brethren  Owen  W.  Jones,  Thom- 
as Weatherington  and  William  W.  Galloway  be  appoint- 
ed a  committee  of  arrangements,  to  supply  the  congrega- 
tion and  fill  the  stage  with  preachers  during  this  Confer- 
ence. 

On  motion,  the  committee  who  was  to  fill  the  stage  with 
preachers,  during  this  Conference,"  reported  Elders  Jessee 
Bennett  and  IS.  J.  Carrow  to  preach  to  the  attending  con- 
gregation on  Friday. 

On  motion,  agreed  that  brother  Irvin  Jones  attend  the 
stage  and  receive  a  list  of  texts,  taken  by  the  different  El- 
ders or  preachers,  during  this  Conference,  and  report  a  copy 
of  the  same  to  the  clerk. 

On  Motion,  agreed  that  Conference  adjourn  till  Friday, 
10  o'clock  ;  prayer  and  praise  by  Elder  S.  J.  Carrow. 


FRIDAY  MOENING,  NOVEMBER  6th,  1851 

The  Elders,  Ministers  and  Messengers,  .met  agreeably  to 
adjournment  ;  praise  and  prayer  by  brother  Jesse  Bennett. 

On  motion,  agreed  that  the  letters  from  the  several  church- 
es be  called  for  and  read. 

The  number  of  members,  delegates,  amount  of  contribu- 
tions &c,,  were  as  the  following  table  exhibits; 

If) 


re 


CHURCHKS.  COUNTIES 


Louisen  Swamp,  Lenoir, 
Wheat  Swamp. 
Bethel, 

Hickory  Grove, 
South  West, 
Imitation,  Pitt, 
Tar  River,  •* 
Little  Creek.  Greene, 
Free  Union, 
Hookerton, 


DELEGATES. 


4  b 


1 

4 

1 1 


Goose  Creek, 
Milton  B.  River 
Rit  Swamp, 
Post  Oak, 
Concord, 
Liberty, 
Newbern, 
Mount  Zion, 
Free  Union, 
Goose  Creek, 
Pan  lego, 
Union  Chapel, 
Blount's  Creek, 

Purgo  Chapel, 
Rustei's  Creek, 
Hood  Swamp, 

Little  Creek, 


Craven, 


Martin, 
Beau  tort 


Carteret 
Wayne 


5L.  Hill,  W.  Falkner, 
I     C.  Johnson. 

Wm.  Lassiter, 

Joseph  Pitman,  2 

R.  Hill,  S.  J.  button,  13 

J.  H.  Jackson, 

A hner  Smith, 

Not  represented, 

Thomas  Weatherington 

J.R.Dail,  W.  A  Brand. 

(rvin  Jones,  B.  Dixon, 
5  Wm.  Bennet,  Jesse  ) 
I  Bennet,  J  no.  Scott,    $  15 

Represented  by  pastor,      2  26 

F.Fulshire,  H.T.Fulshire 

T.  Pollard, 

By  letter, 

S.  Weatherington, 

Bv  lener,  2042  1 

By  letter,  3f  3j 

Jno.  Swinson,  29  2b' 2  2; 

By  letter,  |  3 

M.  J.  Flinn, 

WWGaloway.LATaylor 
Not  represented, 

S  M.  LintonJ.W.Lin-? 

I  ton,  Wm.  E.\Vright,5  12 
S.  J.  Carrow. 
Wm.Frazier,  H.F.Smith, 

$  Thos  Weatherington,  ? 

I    J.McGlohorn,  J 


4 

6  25 


4  2 


5  5' 
o  1 1 


$!c. 


3  274  4 
123|2 
224 
66,2 
68  3 
18 
23 
202 
23 
4b  2 


119 
110 

83 
111 
66 
10 

3(5 


50 


50 


4bU| 


2| 

lj50 
li 
M 


76 
20 
83 

2  m 

22 


1 

2  22 


45  1 

23 

20|| 

19c 


50 
50 
50 
2;  50 


50 


On  motion,  agreed  that  the  Finance  committee  retire,  set- 
tle with  the  Treasurer,  and  report  to  Conference. 


EEPORT  OF  COMMITTEE. 
To  balance  on  hand  last  year, 
Contributed  this  year, 


Wm.  Bennett, 
J.  W.  Linton, 


Com,  of  Finance. 


$8  65 

38  50 

$47  10 


5 


On  motion  agreed  that  brother  Jesse  Bennett  be  ordain- 
>d,  during  Conference,  as  a  minister. 

On  motion,  agreed  that  brother  J.  H.  Jackson  draw  on 
the  Treasurer  for  the  sum  of  $4. 

On  motion,  agreed  that  the  committee  appointed  to  attend 
to  the  publishing  of  a  Freewill  Baptist  Journal  be  contin- 
ued for  the  next  year. 

On  motion,  agreed  that  brother  John  H.  Jackson  be  ap- 
pointed to  attend  the  Freewill  Baptist  Association,  South. 

On  motion,  agreed  that  there  be  volunteers  called  for  to 
attend  the  Cape  Fear  Conference,  to  meet  in  October  next, 
which  the  following  list  will  show  :  J.  H.Jackson,  Wm. 
A.  Brand,  0.  W.  Jones,  Elders  Alfred  Moore  and  Silves- 
ter J.  Carrow. 

On  motion  agreed  that  Elder  D.  H.  Miller's  name  be  en- 
rolled on  our  minutes. 

On  motion,  agreed  that  the  petitions  for  the  next  Gene- 
ral Conference  be  taken  up. 

Voted,  that  our  next  Annual  Conference  be  held  with  the 
church  at  Louisen  Swamp,  Lenoir  county,  and  that  it  com- 
mence on  Thursday  before  the  second  Lords  day  in  Novem- 
ber A.  D.,  1858'. 

On  motion,  agreed  that  Elder  S.  J.  Carrow  be  requested 
to  preach  the  introductory  sermon  and  that  Elder  Thomas 
Moore  be  his  alternate. 

On  motion,  agreed  that  Wm.  A.  Brand  transcribe  and 
prepare  these  minutes  for  the  press. 

On  motion,  agreed  that  there  be  1500  copies  printed. 

On  motion,  agreed  that  there  be  100  copies  of  these  min- 
utes sent  to  the  Cape  Fear  Conference. 

On  motion,  agreed,  that  Wm.  A.  Brand,  be  paid  $15  for 
his  services. 

On  motion,  agreed,  that  the  general  treasurer  pay  over 
to  the' Clerk  $25  to  defray  expenses  of  these  minutes. 

On  motion,  agreed,  that  the  committee  of  Arrangements 
retire  and  report  the  names  of  the  preachers  to  fill  the  stand 
on  Saturday. 

Committee  reported  Elders  H.  G.  Paul  and  Jesse  Bennett. 

On  motion,  agreed,  that  Conference  adjourn  until  Satur- 
day, 10  o'clock,  A.  M.;  Praise  and  prayer  by  Elder  iUfred 
Moore. 


SATUKDAY  MORNING,  NOVEMBER  7th,  1857. 
The  ministers  and  delegates  met  agreeably  to  adjourn- 
ment; Praise  and  prayer  by  Eider  B.  B.  Albritton. 


On  motion,  agreed  that  Elder  B.  B.  Alhritton  and  H.  (x, 
Faul  attend  to  the  ordination  of  Brother  Jesse  Bennet. 

On  motion,  agreed  that  the  committee  appointed  to  have 
Hymn  Books  printed  make  a  report  at  the  next  Conference 
of  how  many  books  they  have  on  hand,  and  how  much,  mo- 
ney they  have  on  hand,  as  proceeds  arising  from  the  sale  of 
the  hooks. 

Resolved,  That  this  Conference  have  learned  with  deep 
regret  of  the  death  of  Elder  John  Barrow. 

Resolved,  That  in  the  death  of  Elder  J.  Barrow  this  Con- 
ference have  lost  an  able  and  efficient  minister;  and  that 
they  tender  their  sincere  and  heartfelt  condolence  to  the 
family  of  their  deceased  brother,  in  their  sad  bereavement. 

On  motion,  agreed  that  this  Conference  tender  their 
thanks  to  the  inhabitants  of  this  vicinity  for  their  kindness 
and  hospitality  during  the  session. 

On  motion,  agreed  that  Elder  Jesse  Bennett's  name  be 
enrolled  on  these  minutes. 

On  motion,  agreed  that  Conference  adjourn  to  time  and 
place  above  mention ed. 

HIRAM  G.  PAUL,  Moderator. 
THOMAS  MOOBE,  Ast  Moderator. 

William  H,  Brand,  Clerk. 

John  A.  Jackson,  Ast.  Clerk. 


The  following  is  a  fist  of  the  Ministers,  Preachers  and  El- 
ders belonging  to  the  original,  Freewill-Baptist  Conference 
in  Eastern  North  Carolina,  who  are  known  to  be  favorable 
to  it : 

NAMES  AM)  POST  OFFICES  OF  MINISTERS, 

Thomas  Moore,  Hookerton. 

B.  B.  Albrittox,  Greenville. 

Hiram  G.  Paul,  Newbern. 

S.  J.  C arrow,  Beaufort. 
F.  B.  Silveethorn,  Bay  River. 

Alfred  Moore,  Kinston. 
Chas.  JIoltox, 

Matthew  Holtox,     Bay  River. 


A.  B.  Yaxx. 
I  C.  Wood, 
P.  H.  Miller, 


Jesss  Bexxkt, 


Goklsborough, 
Newbern. 


Under  the  direction  of  the  committee  of  arrangements^ 
the  stage  was  supplied  and  the  congregation  was  entertain- 
ed as  follows  : 

Friday,  November  6th,  1857 — Elder  Jesse  Bennett  intro- 
duced divine  service  and  preached  from  Revelations,  22nd 
chapter  and  1*7 th  verse — "And  the  spirit  and  the  "bride  say, 
Come,  and  let  him  that  heareth  say,  Come.  And  let  him  that 
is  athirst  come.  And  whosoever  will,  let  him  take  the  water 
of  life  freely/'  Elder  S.  J.  Carrow  followed  and  preached 
from  Matthew,  22nd  chapter  and  14th  verse — "For  many 
are  called  but  few  are  chosen." 

Saturday  Morning,  November  *Jth,  1857 — Elder  H.  G. 
Paul  preached  from  Matthew,  12th  chapter  and  50th  verse  : 
"For  whosoever  shall  do  the  will  of  my  father  which  is  in 
heaven,  the  same  is  my  brother  and  sister  and  mother. " 
Elder  S.  Gr.  Carrow  followed  by  exhortation. 

-Sunday  Morning,  November  8th.,  1857 — Praise  and  prayer 
by  Elder  Jesse  Bennett.  Elder  S.  Gr.  Carrow  introduced 
divine  service  and  preached  from  2nd  Timothy,  3rd 
chapter  and  5th  verse — "Having  a  form  of  godliness  but 
denying  the  power  thereof:  from  such  turn  away/' 

Elder  Thos.  Moore  followed  and  preached  from  Revela- 
tions, 4th  chapter  and  6th  verse — "And  before  the  throne 
there  was  a  sea  of  glass,  like  unto  crystal:  and  in  the  midst 
of  the  throne,  and  around  about  the  throne  were  four  beasts 
full  of  eyes  before  and  behind." 

Prayer  and  praise  by  Elder  Thos,  Moore,  and  all  were 
dismissed. 


ANNUAL  AND  QUARTERLY  MEETINGS. 


CHURCHES  &  COUNTIES.  ANNUAL  MEETINGS. 

Louisen  Swamps,  Lenoir,  1st  Sun.iu  Oct. 

Wheat  Swamp,  "  3rd  "  " 

Bethel,  "  2nd  r*  Sept. 

Hickory  Grove,  "  2nd  "  Oct. 

South  West,   '  "  2nd  " 
Imitation, 

Tar  River,  Pitt,  1st  "  Sept. 

Little  Creek,  Greene,  3rd  £f  Oct, 

Free  Union.  "  3rd  "  Aug. 

Hookerton,  ** 

Goose  Creek,  Craven,  3rd  "  Oct. 

Bay  River,  "  4th  4f  Oct. 

Rit  Swamp,  "  1st  "  Sept. 

Post  Oak,  "  1st  "  Aug. 

Concord,  "  1st  " 

Liberty,  "  1st  "  4f 

Newbern,  Craven, 

Mount  Zion,  " 

Free  Union,  Martin,  4th  "  Sept. 

Goose  Creek,  Beaufort,  4th  "  Aug. 

Pantego.  "  3rd  "  Sept. 

Union  Chapel,  "  2nd  "  Aug. 

Blount's  Cieek,  "  4th  « 

Pungo,  ** 

Rustel's  Creek,  Carteret,  2nd  "  Oct. 

Hood  Swamp,  Wayne,  1st  "  Aug. 


QUARTERLY  MEETINGS. 

1st  Sun.  in  July,  Jan.,  Apl. 
3rd  "  "     *4  >* 

2nd  "  Dec,  March,  June. 
2nd  "  Jan.,  April,  July. 
2nd  "    «•  ?  " 

1st  *f  Dec,  March,  June. 
3rd  "  Jan.,  April,  July, 
3rd  "    Nov.,  Feb.,  May. 


3rd 
4th 
1st 
1st 
1st 
1st 


Jan.,  April,  July. 
Jan.,  April,  July. 
Dec,  March,  June. 

Nov.,  Feb.,  May. 


4th  "  Dec,  March,  June. 

4ih  (t  Nov.,  Feb.,  May. 

3rd  "  Dec,  March,  June. 

2nd  -f  Nov'r.,  Feb.,  May. 

4th  ts  "         "  " 

2nd  "    Jan.,  April,  July. 

1st  "  Nov'r.,  Feb.,  May. 


Dear  Brethren  :  In  the  performance  of  the  duty  which 
you  assigned  me — that  of  transcribing  and  preparing  the 
minutes  of  our  Conference  for  the  press,  I  have  used  dili- 
gence in  trying  to  give  all  the  statements  correctly,  and  to 
do  it  in  a  manner  that  might  be  satisfactory  to  you,  by  fol- 
lowing the  course  pursued  by  others  in  preparing  the  Min- 
utes of  previous  Conferences.    Please  pardon  all  errors. 

Done  by  order  of  Conference. 

WM.  A.  BRAND,  Cleric. 

Nov.  l?th,  A.  D.,  1857.  . 


